EAST LIVERPOOL - A traffic stop due to suspicious activity led to a Wellsville man's arrest on a number of charges.
At 12:46 a.m. Wednesday, Officer Greg Faulkner observed a vehicle parked in the middle of an alley off Pennsylvania Avenue. The vehicle was blocking the roadway near a known illegal drug activity location, according to the report.
Two females were in the vehicle, and the engine was running. When the officer pulled behind the suspect vehicle, the driver pulled away, went up the alley and turned onto Erie Street.
Faulkner stopped the vehicle and started to get some information from the driver when he noticed a male walking up from behind. The officer reportedly told the male to stop, but the suspect continued and came within inches of the officer before demanding to know what was going on, the report indicates.
The male had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath and his speech was slurred, according to the report.
The male suspect stepped back but put his left hand into his left pocket. The male was identified as Lamar T. Coles, 19, of Wellsville. According to the report, Coles was recently let out on bond for an incident at the Platinum Bar in Wellsville where he reportedly had a loaded 9mm pistol in his possession.
Faulkner ordered Coles to slowly take his hand out of his pocket, and the officer attempted to conduct a pat down for weapons. Coles reportedly twisted away quickly and continued to keep his left hand and pocket out of view.
When officers attempted to handcuff Coles, he resisted and repeatedly pulled away, the report states. Coles was taken to the ground and eventually handcuffed.
A clear baggie containing a white powder substance and a bottle of prescription cough syrup were found in Coles' pocket, according to the report.
Coles was charged with prohibitions, resisting arrest and obstructing business.
The female driver was given a verbal warning about blocking the roadway.
The bottle and powder found on Coles were seized and sent for testing.
According to the report, Coles later stated that he was not himself because he had consumed some of the cough syrup and had been drinking alcohol. Coles said he resisted arrest because he did not want officers to find the baggie of powder, the report indicates.
On Wednesday morning, Coles made an appearance in East Liverpool Municipal Court.
Coles was held without bond until an arraignment set for 9 a.m. today.
